In neighbors we trust: A global perspective on how neighborhood trust shapes wellbeing

Abstract

Research shows that neighborhood social connectedness is important for wellbeing. However, these findings are mostly drawn from the Global North. We use the World Values Survey to examine the drivers of neighborhood social connectedness, and how connectedness shapes wellbeing, in a broader global context. Using multilevel modeling, we find that the drivers of trust in neighbors are consistent globally and that the links between trust in neighbors and wellbeing also hold across a variety of settings. This supports the generalizability of the socio-ecological model of wellbeing and suggests that interventions designed to foster neighborhood trust are broadly desirable.